Valeria’s POV
I barely managed to make it away from Luka.
The second I slipped past him and rounded the corner, my chest caved in on itself. I sucked in a shaky breath, blinking rapidly as the heavy doors to the hall came into view. The hum of laughter, the clinking of glasses, the low murmur of a thousand conversations—it all pressed against me like a tidal wave.
Hold it together.
There were too many people here. Too many cameras, too many judging eyes. I couldn’t be seen crying. Not tonight. Not here.
But my body didn’t care about my pride.
The tears were already stinging the backs of my eyes, blurring my vision as I stumbled through the crowd, murmuring soft, desperate apologies as I gently pushed past elegant dresses and tailored suits.
“Excuse me… sorry… I just… sorry.”
I didn
